The Village of Arlington Heights has awarded a contract to Burns & McDonnell to conduct inflow and infiltration testing of the sanitary sewers in several subdivisions within the Village. This testing is required by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC) as an ongoing effort to minimize rain water flows into the sanitary sewer system. The Village has selected an investigative program using smoke testing of the sanitary sewer system to help identify any potential sources of storm water inflow and infiltration. Testing will be conducted in Michael Manor, Somerset, Arlington Vista, Hasbrook from August 23 through August 31, 2017. A map highlighting these locations is available on the Village's website [PDF]. A reminder doorknob hanger will be distributed to you and your neighbors 24 to 48 hours in advance of testing in your subdivision. Orange informational signs will be posted at the local road entrances within 24 hours of smoke testing

The tests will assist the Village in locating any potential breaks and defects in the sewer system. During the test, you might see smoke coming from vent stacks on buildings and from holes in the ground. Do not be alarmed. The smoke is non-toxic, non-staining, does not create a fire hazard and will dissipate in a few minutes. You may see members of the crew working in the street or walking around or behind your residence during the test. If possible, please unlock any backyard gates and secure any dogs in the back yard. A video explaining the smoke testing procedure can be found at the following link.

A few days before the smoke tests begin; please pour water down all drains in your home to ensure all traps are full. This maintenance should be performed in the basement area, utility or laundry rooms and spare bathrooms. If this is not done, smoke could enter your building through the drain. If smoke should enter your building during the test, it probably means that a trap is dry or that there are defects in the plumbing that could allow sewer gas to enter. If you are home, please note the location of the smoke and contact the Public Works Department at 847.368.5800. Residents should open doors and windows to ventilate any smoke that enters the building. Notify the crew working nearby of the smoke and they can assist you. The smoke has a mild mineral oil odor and should dissipate quickly.

You do not need to be home during the testing. If you leave any pets inside the house, the smoke is non-toxic and will not harm the pet. Again, be sure to pour water down any rarely used floor drains, especially in spare bathrooms. You can leave windows opened slightly to increase ventilation. As long as traps contain water, there is very little chance for smoke to enter your home. In rare cases, smoke can come through poor toilet seals but such smoke is generally very light. Once the crew is on your block, it should take less than 30 minutes to conclude the testing. The crews will be taking photographs of smoking sources that may include cleanouts ground smoke, downspouts, and area drains on your property. If you are not home and smoke enters through a dry trap, you may not even be aware that smoke was present when you return.

Please contact the Public Works Department before the tests begin if you have questions. If any of the situations below apply to you contact the Public Works Department.

A person who will be alone and is an invalid or will be sleeping during the test

Any individual with respiratory problems who will be in the building

Elderly persons who will be alone and might be alarmed or confused if they see smoke

The Public Works Department can be reached at 847.368.5800, Monday through Friday, 7:00AM through 4:00PM. We will not be able to give you an exact test time but will able to tell you if we will be in your area that morning or afternoon.

If you have any further questions, you can contact Allan Berkner at Burns & McDonnell by email aberkner@burnsmcd.com or by phone 630.398.9161 Monday through Friday 8:00AM through 4:00PM.

The Arlington Heights Police Department will commence specialized traffic enforcement activities relating to the Labor Day holiday "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" and "Click It or Ticket" enforcement campaigns August 21st to September 5th, 2017. Enforcement activities will include numerous seatbelt enforcement zones, impaired driving saturation patrols, and a Roadside Safety Checkpoint. The checkpoint will take place of Friday, August 25th, 2017 on Arlington Heights Road south of Algonquin Road.

Officers working the campaigns will be attempting to identify and cite motorists who choose to drive without using their safety belts, are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or are committing other traffic-related offenses.

The campaigns are funded with federal traffic safety funds, which are administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation – Division of Transportation Safety.

Fire hydrant flushing is scheduled to start on April 24 and will run through May 5. Each year, the Village of Arlington Heights Public Works Staff operates, flushes, and maintains 3,300 public and 850 private fire hydrants. The personnel generally work in consecutive 12 hour shifts to rapidly facilitate this event with minimal inconvenience to Arlington Heights residents.

Some benefits that are generated from this scheduled operation and maintenance are:
Every public fire hydrant is operated and maintained. If it cannot be maintained, it is marked out of service and the emergency response agencies are notified. The hydrant is then brought back into service as soon as possible.

Every private hydrant is operated and if maintenance is necessary, appropriate owners and emergency agencies are promptly notified and the hydrant is marked as out of service. Maintenance is monitored until complete.

Water is measured in gallons per minute in order to document flow for the Fire Department.

Landscape waste stickers will cost $2.65 beginning April 1 and must be placed on all landscape waste bags and bundles of brush prior to collection, except for those households participating in the subscription program or the landscape waste/food scrap subscription program. Stickers can be purchased at local grocery and hardware stores, Village Hall and the Arlington Heights Senior Center.

Details about the landscape waste subscription programs are explained in the Groot brochure.

Goebbert Road will completely shut down in both directions at Algonquin Road as of 3:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, 2017. Also, the westbound right lane of Algonquin Road will also be closed. Repair work for water main expected to be 4 hours.